Integrated circuit layout and method of configuring the same

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes at least one first active region, at least one second active region adjacent to the first active region, and a plurality of third active regions. The first active region and the second active region are staggered. The third active regions are present adjacent to the first active region, wherein the third active regions are substantially aligned with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated circuit comprising:
 at least one first active region, the at least one first active region having a first length in a first direction; 
 at least one second active region adjacent to the first active region, the at least one second active region having the first length in the first direction, wherein the first active region and the second active region are staggered; 
 a gate electrode layer, the gate electrode layer having a first portion extending in a second direction across the at least one first active region and a second portion extending in the second direction across the at least one second active region, the first and second portions being separated and physically spaced apart from one another; and 
 a plurality of third active regions adjacent to the first active region, the plurality of third active regions each having the first length in the first direction, wherein the third active regions are substantially aligned with each other. 
 
     
     
       2. The integrated circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one fourth active region, wherein the second active region is present between the fourth active region and the first active region, and wherein the fourth active region has a first edge that is substantially aligned with a first edge of the first active region, when viewed in a second direction perpendicular to the first active region, and further wherein the fourth active region has a second edge that is substantially aligned with a second edge of the first active region when viewed in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The integrated circuit of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one fifth active region, wherein the fourth active region is present between the fifth active region and the second active region, and the fifth active region and the second active region have respective first edges that are substantially aligned with each other when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and have respective second edges that are substantially aligned with each other when viewed from the second direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The integrated circuit of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one gate electrode crossing the second active region and the fifth active region. 
 
     
     
       5. The integrated circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the gate electrode is partially present on an edge of the fourth active region. 
     
     
       6. The integrated circuit of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one gate electrode crossing the first active region and the fourth active region. 
 
     
     
       7. The integrated circuit of  claim 6 , wherein the gate electrode is partially present on an edge of the second active region. 
     
     
       8. An integrated circuit comprising:
 a first cell comprising:
 a first active region; 
 a first gate electrode crossing the first active region; 
 a second active region staggered with and adjacent to the first active region; and 
 a second gate electrode crossing the second active region; and 
 
 a second cell comprising:
 a plurality of third active regions adjacent to each other and aligned with the first active region; and 
 a third gate electrode, different and spaced apart from the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, crossing the third active regions, wherein the first cell and the second cell abut each other, wherein the second gate electrode crosses the third active regions. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The integrated circuit of  claim 8 , wherein the first active region and the second active region are staggered. 
     
     
       10. The integrated circuit of  claim 8 , wherein the first gate electrode is partially present on an edge of the second active region. 
     
     
       11. The integrated circuit of  claim 8 , wherein the second cell comprises:
 a plurality of fourth active regions adjacent to each other; and 
 a fourth gate electrode crossing the fourth active regions. 
 
     
     
       12. The integrated circuit of  claim 11 , wherein the third active regions and the fourth active regions are arranged in a staggered configuration. 
     
     
       13. The integrated circuit of  claim 8 , wherein the third active regions are substantially aligned with each other. 
     
     
       14. The integrated circuit of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one dummy gate electrode is partially present on an edge of the first active region and an edge of at least one of the third active regions. 
 
     
     
       15. The integrated circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the dummy gate electrode is continuous at least between the first active region and said at least one of the third active regions. 
     
     
       16. The integrated circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the dummy gate electrode is conductive. 
     
     
       17. The integrated circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode are separated from each other. 
     
     
       18. An integrated circuit, comprising:
 a plurality of first cells; 
 a plurality of second cells different from the first cells, wherein one second cell is between each first cell of the plurality of first cells, and further wherein each second cell has a different orientation and configuration relative respective first cells; 
 each first cell having at least one first active area and at least one second active area, the at least one first active area and the at least one second active area being staggered relative to one another; and 
 each second cell having at least one third active area and at least one fourth active area, the at least one third active area and the at least one fourth active area being staggered relative to one another. 
 
     
     
       19. The integrated circuit of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one first active area and the at least one third active area are aligned relative to another. 
     
     
       20. The integrated circuit of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least one first active area, the at least one second active area, the at least one third active area, and the at least one fourth active area has a same length in the same direction.